bloody diarrhea

[heather]

Hi all it's been a while since I last posted....I wanted to get some thoughts. I have a pinky that I've had for about a week now. I do not know her exact weight. She has been doing great eating well and her poop has gotten to be a nice solid yellow color. She did have diarrhea a little but it has gone away.

I just went to feed her and there is bloody diarrhea everywhere. I stimulated her to go to the bathroom before I fed her and its just coming out a bright red goo (nothing is solid) so I didn't feed her. Can overfeeding cause this? I can't believe I've had her for a week and it just started now.
She did have some injuries when I got her. Bruises and one of her little nails was almost off it just fell off today. Her finger is still a little swollen and red but all the bruises have healed. It looked as though something got a hold of her (when I got her) but I'm not sure what.
I'm going to give her some pedialite now instead of her milk but I wanted some thoughts on what could be causing this.
Thanks
Heather

[island rehabber]

heather, I have never heard of overfeeding causing red or bloody diarrhea, to be honest. It generally comes out as mushy white goo -- undigested formula, in other words. This sudden bleeding is something else....you mentioned she was bruised. Do you see any new bruises or discoloration thru her skin? I hoping nothing has ruptured. Is it at all possible that the injured toenail caused this bleeding? it's amazing how much blood can come from one little claw.....

[heather]

She's getting fed every 2-4 hours usually the same times everyday. During the day I try to get it in every 2 hours and at night she is getting fed every 4 I like to have them on a schedule. I'm feeding her about .7 cc's. It's hard to tell how much is going in and how much is getting on her blanket. I try to clean the syringe very well. I just rinse w/ hot water and let air dry. Should I use soap or bleach? I'm feeding her Powdered formula. By how long do you mean the entire container or milk that's just mixed?
I mix a new batch everyday. I have 6 little ones right now but this is the youngest.

[heather]

heather, I have never heard of overfeeding causing red or bloody diarrhea, to be honest. It generally comes out as mushy white goo -- undigested formula, in other words. This sudden bleeding is something else....you mentioned she was bruised. Do you see any new bruises or discoloration thru her skin? I hoping nothing has ruptured. Is it at all possible that the injured toenail caused this bleeding? it's amazing how much blood can come from one little claw.....


I do not see any new bruises. She has none at all now. The blood was definitely not from the claw. When I stimulated her to go to the bathroom more blood came out. Her claw has a nice scab on it now.
I'm so puzzled. She didn't want to eat as well as normal this last try. I only gave her Pedialyte.

[island rehabber]

OK, it was smart to only give her Pedialyte until we figure out what's wrong. Is there a vet you can bring her to today? If not, can we help you find one? She is legal in Florida so you catch a break there.....where are you located?

[heather]

OK, it was smart to only give her Pedialyte until we figure out what's wrong. Is there a vet you can bring her to today? If not, can we help you find one? She is legal in Florida so you catch a break there.....where are you located?


No a vet won't be possible today. I know a few in the area that will see her. Thanks for the offer to help find one.

[LynninIN]

Did you start her on any antibiotics when she came in?

[heather]

Did you start her on any antibiotics when she came in?


No she's never been on antibiotics. She had a little yogurt last week just to help out her system.

[heather]

I just checked on her and gave her a little more pedialyte w/ a little yogurt. More blood and she's going down hill. I won't have computer access after 3:30ish anyone got any last minute suggestions?
Thanks

[jme2323]

sorry, i hope your little one pulls though! BIG HUG.

[heather]

Is there anyway you can get her to a vet before she dies? She needs to be seen immediately. She may have internal injuries, and only a vet can tell that.

I will check on getting her to the vet today

[Sciurus1]

Re: I FOUND A BABY SQUIRREL, NOW WHAT?? PINKY SQUIRRELS: THE FOUR MAGIC WORDS

WARMTH: a heating pad on low, under half their container (not under THEM) is best. Plastic tubs or terrariums are good because the environment is more humid and their skin doesn't dry out. When feeding a pinky, if your hands are warm you can use tissue paper to wrap and hold him...if your hands are cold, WARM a cloth or glove before picking up the pinky or you will chill him instantly.

HYDRATION: pinkies need hydration in the form of formula -- or Pedialyte in the beginning -- at least every 2.5 hrs. This means getting up at least once during the night. I get up twice, and it still means they will go 3.5 hrs sometimes without food but it's usually ok. If they look flat and skinny when you get up to feed them, you are not feeding OFTEN enough. Sorry kids, it's a rough gig those first 2 weeks.

CONSISTENCY: consistent heat.....consistent feedings....if your schedule is going to make you sporadic or unpredictable in caring for these teeny-weenies, give them to someone who has the time to care for them properly. If you don't have a heating pad, GET ONE, without an auto shut-off. Microwave disks are too unpredictable for pinkies and may cook them. Hot water bottles don't last nearly long enough for these fragile babies.

PATIENCE: Feed pinkies slo-o-o--owly. Very slowly. Teeny drop by teeny drop, preferably with a 0.5 (1/2) cc syringe or a 1cc at the LARGEST. Use a nipple attachment for best results. Go very, very slowly. If it takes you 15 minutes to get half a cc of formula into a pinky, yer doin' it perfectly. This is how we avoid aspiration, the #1 cause of death in pinkies and the reason why "some say" there is only a 50% success rate in saving them.
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